Lot 222: Arabia Felix, Saba'. Mid 2nd-1st centuries B.C. AR 1/4 unit. Imitating Athens.

Arabia Felix, Saba'. Mid 2nd-1st centuries B.C. AR 1/4 unit (8 mm, 0.97 g, 9 h). Imitating Athens. Helmeted head of Athena right, X on cheek (t in South Arabian as valuation mark) / AΘ[E], owl standing right, head facing; all within shallow incuse. Munro-Hay 1.4iii; HGC 10, 735. Find patina with a few light deposits. Nice for the issue. Very fine.

From an American Collection of Biblical and Related Coinage.

A note from the collector: [the following] quote is from Wayne Sayles, Ancient Coin Collecting VI: Non-Classical Cultures, p. 124.

…much of the world would not even know of the Sabaeans if it were not for an account in the Old Testament of the Bible. The reference is to King Solomon's fleet of Phoenician ships that sailed down the Red Sea to the land of Ophir. This exploratory mission prompted the Queen of Sheba to visit Solomon in Jerusalem. Her intent was to establish trade between the two powers. Sheba was the Biblical name for Saba, or the land of the Sabaeans… The products they offered in trade were frankincense and myrrh.

• Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
• Lot #: 222
• Listing #: 192640
• Closed: Tuesday, December 13, 2016 5:50:30 PM CT
• Estimate: $75